RAFAEL NADAL insisted he always plays badly in the first round of the French Open after a straight-sets success against plucky French teenager Gianni Mina.

Four-time champion Nadal, who last year suffered his first defeat at Roland Garros in his 32nd match, did not have it all his own way against last year’s junior runner-up.

But wild card Mina’s boundless energy and enthusiasm was not enough to prevent him falling to a 6-2 6-2 6-2 defeat and handing Nadal a second-round match against Horacio Zeballos or Martin Fischer.

Admitting to feeling nervous on Suzanne Lenglen Court, Nadal said: “I remember the four times that I won here, I always had first matches that were really bad.

“I practised really well, so I hope it is only a little bit of an accident today. I think I am playing well enough.”

Earlier in the day, Andy Roddick avoided becoming the biggest men’s casualty so far after coming from two sets to one down to beat Jarkko Nieminen.

The American – who has missed the entire season on clay – avoided a fifth first-round exit in nine appearances thanks to a 6-2 4-6 4-6 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 win on Philippe Chatrier Court.

In a match lasting three hours and 19 minutes, sixth seed Roddick only lost his booming serve twice, but each time Nieminen made him pay by clinching the second and third sets.

Roddick said: “There was a lot of ugliness out there today but, at the end of it, I get to play again.” ”